How deep is the rot in the Bears organization?
Much has been (appropriately) made about Matt Eberflus’ gaffes as head coach of the Chicago Bears. It feels like he has actively lost the Bears several across his tenure with his unique mix of conservative and inept coaching style.
However, as Bears fans hang another heartbreaking loss on their gallery wall of heartbreaking losses, it’s hard not to wonder if the buck stops at Eberflus. Don’t get me wrong, Matt Eberflus has shown that independent of the decisions made by his bosses, he is a bad Head Coach in the NFL. But so were Matt Nagy, John Fox (during his Bears’ tenure), and Mark Trestman.
In fact, the shift in Bears fans sentiments from angry, to upset, to apathetic has a direct correlation to the cyclical nature of our disappointment. “Bad head coaches wasting talented rosters and young prospects” seems to have been the persisting attitude in Chicago over the last decade, but is that where our attention should rest?
So I ask you, dear Bears fans, where is the root of the problem with the Bears organization?
I am not sure I have an answer – which is what makes this such a difficult question to chew on. But let’s lay out the facts since 2011 when George McCaskey took over, and maybe we can find something:
Head Coaches
- Matt Eberflus (2022-Present) – Record: 14-30, Playoff Record: 0-0, Divisional Finishes: 4th, 4th, 4th (Currently)
- Matt Nagy (2018-2021) – Record: 34-31, Playoff Record: 0-2, Divisional Finishes: 1st, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd
- John Fox (2015-17) – Record: 14-34, Playoff Record: 0-0, Divisional Finishes: 4th, 4th, 4th
- Marc Trestman (2013-14) – Record: 13-19, Playoff Record: 0-0, Divisional Finishes: 2nd, 4th
- Lovie Smith under George McCaskey (2011-12) – Record: 18-14, Playoff Record: 0-0, Divisional Finishes: 3rd, 3rd
General Managers
- Ryan Poles (2022-Present) – Record: 14-30, Playoff Record: 0-0, Divisional Finishes: 4th, 4th, 4th (Currently)
- Ryan Pace (2015-2021) – Record: 48-65, Playoff Record: 0-2, Divisional Finishes: 4th, 4th, 4th, 1st, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd
- Phil Emery (2012-14) – Record: 23-25, Playoff Record: 0-0, Divisional Finishes: 3rd, 2nd, 4th
- Jerry Angelo under George McCaskey (2011) – Record: 8-8, Playoff Record: 0-0, Divisional Finishes: 3rd
Team Presidents
- Kevin Warren (2023-24) – Record: 11-16, Playoff Record: 0-0, Divisional Finishes: 4th, 4th (Currently)
- Ted Phillips under George McCaskey (2011-2022) – Record: 82-112, Playoff Record: 0-2, Divisional Finishes: 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 4th, 4th, 4th, 4th, 1st, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
Chairman
- George McCaskey (2011-2024) – 93-128, Playoff Record: 0-2, Divisional Finishes: 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 4th, 4th, 4th, 4th, 1st, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th, 4th
What does all of that mean? The Bears have been bad. With having only won the division once, losing their only two playoff games, and finishing in last place 6 times in 14 seasons, the Bears have been one of the worst franchises in the league over that span.
It’s easy to pin bad losses on bad coaches. We see the exact moment that Eberflus, Nagy, Fox, or Trestman screw up. We can point to the general managers when their highly touted draft picks eventually flop. We can even look at guys like Ted Phillips and Kevin Warren and question why businessmen are the top executives in a football organization.
But it’s a lot harder to be able to square up what George McCaskey does and why things have been so bad while he has been in leadership. Personally, I like George as a person. He seems to advocate for good causes and cares about the culture of the team. But the NFL is filled with successful people who are ruthless, and George seems to think that you can win as the nice guys.
I would love for George to prove us all right – taking a bunch of lovable players/coaches all the way to the top. But it clearly hasn’t worked so far.
George, please stop hiring good guys and good friends. Please start hiring tough, shrewd, and ruthless football people who will do (almost) anything to bring winning back to the Windy City. Your loyal fanbase is transitioning into a phase of apathy. Change course and do something different.
Now it’s your turn – where is the root of the problem with the Bears organization? Sound off in the comments!